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Basic Information On Slovenia

The following article provides you detailed information on Slovenia, so that you'll know the country at a glance.

Location & Size

Referred to as the 'pear' of Europe, the picturesque haven is knotted in southern central Europe, skirted by Italy on the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and east and Adriatic sea to the southwest. Slovenia comprises of twenty different towns and cities and its capital is Ljubljana.

This small country has a wide variety of attractions, mountains, caves, seaside, rivers, all on slightly more than 20 000 km2 half of which is covered with forest.

See the map of Slovenia.

Information About Slovenia – Its People, Population and Language

Slovenia consists of mainly the ethnic group, which constitutes about 83 % of the total population. However, the total population the number of which slightly exceeds 2 million is dominated by nationalities from former Yugoslavia, since the country ruled Slovenia once upon a time. Hungarian is official language in 3 settlements in prekmurje (Lendava, Dobrovnik and Hodos) while Italain is official langugae in Koper, Izola and Piran along the Slovenia Coast.

The population is calculated in terms of 99 inhabitants per square kilometer. Its official language is Slovenian. It is not a very pious nation, however traditionally the country is hugely dominated by Roman Catholics.

Information on Slovenia – Know about its past to understand its Present

Going back in time, Slovenia has a rich history to narrate. Slovenia has been part of the great empires round the world. The country has been part of the Austrian empire, Roman empire, the state of Slovenes, the kingdom of Serbs, the Slovenes (now Yugoslavia) in 1929 and the last sovereign, the SFR of Yugoslavia from 1945 till 1991, when the nation got back its independence.

Post World War II, Slovenia formed part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 29th November, 1945. The nation got back its independence on 25th June, 1991. Politically, the nation is creating ripples throughout Europe and is holding the office of the Presidency of council of the European Union for the initial months of 2008.

The Nation's Political Scenario

Slovenia is a democratic country. The President is the head of the state and is selected by means of the ballot system. The parliament elects the prime minister and the council of ministers. The nation has a bicameral parliament, which consist of the National Assembly and the National Council. The National assembly holds ninety seats and the National Council serves forty seats in total.

The Geography of Slovenia

Tucked in the middle of Europe, Slovenia is at a height of 557 meters above the sea level. The major part of the country is covered with forest and therefore, this makes the region the third most forested country in the world. Triglav the focal point of the Triglav National Park is the highest peak in Slovenia at 2684 m (9,396 feet).

The green stretch of 5,593 square kilometers is dotted with orchards and vineyards. The cool breeze from the Alps Mountain and the warm breeze from the Adriatic Sea make it altogether a very pleasant place to stay. Read more details about climate and weather in Slovenia.

Facts About Slovenia – The Regional Diversification of the Country

Between, 1935 and 1936, Geographer Anton Melik first segmented the nation into different regions and christened the places. Later in 1968, Svetozar Ilesic again re-divided the nation. However, Ivan Gams made some new changes and divided the nation into the following macro regions.

The Ljubljana Basin
The Alps
The Prealpine Hills
The Submediterranean and Slovenia
The Dinaric Karst of inner Slovenia

A recent geographic team has come with four macro regions – the Mediterranean world, the Alpine world, Pannonian world and the Dinaric world. The macro regions are further divided into meso regions, which are again divided into micro regions.

An Insight Into Slovenia's Economic and Cultural Evolution

At par with the developed countries in the world, Slovenia shows a record of highest GDP per capita. In the last few years, the nation showed rapid economic development - 4.1% in 2005, 5.7% in 2006 and 5.9 % in 2007. The development graph is scaling upwards and this is a good sign towards future development.

However, the growing challenges are posing a threat on its development front. Despite certain drawbacks, the country is developing in leaps and bounds. Its economy witnessed a phenomenal economic break, when the Euro currency was introduced on 1st January, 2007.

The nation is the first state out of the former central European communist countries to hold the presidency of the council of the European Union in the first few months of 2008.

The nation is blessed with many famous authors, poets, musicians, actors, et al. The greatest poets and writers to be ever born on this land are France Preseren, Ivan Cankar, Drago Janc. They have contributed greatly to the cultural domain and have made the nation proud. Ivana Kobilca and Rihard Jakopic are the two renowned painters who have taken the cultural richness of the nation to new heights.

No doubt, Slovenia is recognized as a developed country throughout the world.

Did You Know?

The 7 stanza of Slovenia's National Anthem is from Franz Preseren' s (the Nation's poet) Zdravljica (A Toast) poem:

"God's blessing on all nations,
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o'er earth's habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all men free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be."

Currency in Slovenia

Since January 2007 the Euro has replaced the Slovenian tolar (SIT). There are 7 euro notes:

5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€, 200€, and 500€

Coins:

1€ and 2€ than

1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, and 50 cent

Telephone:

To call Slovenia from abroad dial the inetrnational access code (00) then the country code (386) and the area code (without the initial zero) and then the number.

Emergency Telephone Numbers:

Ambulance (Reselvaci): 112
Fire Brigade (Gasilci): 112
Police (Policija): 113
Road Emergency or Towing: 1987

Electricity: Current: 220 V, 50 Hz.

Opening Hours

Grocery shops are usually open between 8.00-19.00 on weekdays and 8.00-13.00 on Saturdays. Supermarkets usually stay open longer and they're open on Sundays.

Business hours of banks: 8.00,8.30-17.00.

Museums are usually open 10.00-18.00 from Tuesday to Sunday. (During low season their opening hours are much shorter or they're open only on weekends).

Restaurant opening hours vary accross the country, but mostly they're open between 11.00-23.00.

Shops, banks, offices are closed on public holidays, but some restaurants, cafes, bars are open (always check it before your tarvel).

Public Holidays in Slovenia

1st and 2nd January: New Year's
8th February 8 Preseren Day, Slovenia's cultural day
Easter Sunday and Monday
27th April Day of Uprising against the Occupation
1st and 2nd May May Day holiday
Pentecost
25th June National Day
15th August Assumption Day
31st October Reformation Day
1st November All Saint's Day
25th December Christmas
26th December Independence Day

Public Toilettes

It's no very easy to find a public lavatory. Your best chances in finding one are in shopping centres and train stations. Usualyl you have to pay for the use of public toilette: cc. 0.20 €.

Anti-Smoking Rules in Slovenia

Note that Slovenia introduced an anti-smoking law in 2007 that prohibits smoking in all public and work places. These includes restaurants, cafes, train and bus stations etc.

Hence, the above information on Slovenia helps you to know the nation at a glance.